Enhancement Proc Changes

These proposed changes make me happy that I tend to use relatively few procs in my builds.

Under the "flat chance to proc" system, I can easily predict how adding a proc to a power will affect me. It is straightforward and the calculations are relatively easy to make. I can make decisions about the tradeoffs of adding a proc versus adding a different enhancement or forgoing a slot in that power.

With the PPM system everything is much more opaque. The math is much more complex, especially with AoEs, and it's much more difficult to evaluate the costs and benefits of adding a proc. I really have no idea, in a very general sense, how often PPM procs will go off in AoEs. This is even more true when I start to think about high recharge builds, where too much recharge (but I don't know how much) can result in lower damage output if I rely on procs.

Honestly, it just makes it tempting to avoid procs altogether.

Just a thought here, since this PPM change seems like it'll happen irrigardless of all the problems it represents.

If there ismt a floor with a minimum chance to proc, than it is possible for high recharge builds to end up in even dps without procs instead of adding a proc?

If that is possible, than having procs would seem to be a way to build for builds less reliant on recharge. As someone upthread stated, this could inadvertanly affect certain builds that do end up better with higher recharge, like db / regen whereas regen is really benefitting from more recharge, but db w/ procs may end up with less damage.

That just doesn't make sense.

If a floor is added, than it better well take into account the rarity of the proc (purple vs. orange for example), the strength of the proc, etc...

Would be good to know how the PPM would end up working in toggles and aoes. Also what about procs that could end up in auto powers or click powers like the Performance Shifter proc particularly if there's a maximum cap in place.

Which I believe to be just wrong either way. But if it does happen, then the reverse of the minimum chance to fire should go into effect. If not, fast recharging powers can still end up worse because if they're used more often, then they'll encounter that chance to not occur more often as well.

I've read some good points in this thread and I wanted to let you know I am continuing to read all of your comments. I do want to stress that in most cases this change will increase proc chances. I'll give you guys some concrete numbers once I have them, but my internal examples I am using look pretty good.

Before we continue let me explain the math. There seems to be some confusion regarding how Procs Per Minute work. Here's the formula that is currently in game:

If power is a click: (PPM * (Base Recharge Time + Time To Activate)) / (60 * Area Factor)

This basically adds your Recharge Time and the power's Cast Time and Divides them by the 60 times the size of the power's area of effect (if any) and then multiplies it by the power's procs per minute. In short: powers with long recharge times and cast times proc more than powers with low recharge times and cast times. Additionally, powers with large area factors have a reduced chance to proc as well.

If power is not a click: (PPM * Activate Period) / (60 * Area Factor)

This applies to powers like damage toggles and the like.

The proposed change would do the following:

1) Increase the PPM value by 50-75% (So a 4 PPM proc would become 6 or 7 PPM) NOTE: The exact amount is still being figured out.
2) Change the Base Recharge in the formula to your actual power's recharge. This is the part where I think a lot of you are scared. I'll show you an example of how this will actually play out in game later in this post so you can decide how much this will actually impact you.
3) Procs will have a maximum chance to trigger. I'm leaning toward 90%. Someone mentioned a minimum chance to proc. I really like this idea and I am thinking about this value being 10%, but I'll have to test this internally to find out if this breaks anything.
4) All non-PPM enhancements with a chance to trigger less than 100% will use PPMs. (Note: Enhancements like Numina's Convalesence: Regen/Recovery will not be affected by this change as they have 100% chance to trigger).

Okay, now onto the example. Let's use Assassin's Strike slotted with Stalker's Guile: +Rech/Chance to Hide (Standard):

CURRENT PPMs
Assassin Strike
Base Recharge: 15 seconds
Cast Time: 1 second
Area Factor: 1

Stalker's Guile: +Rech/Chance to Hide
PPM: 4

Proc Chance: 106.7%

PROPOSED PPMs
Assassin Strike
Base Recharge: 15
Cast Time: 1 second
Area Factor

Stalker's Guile: +Rech/Chance to Hide
PPM: 6

0% Global Recharge/Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 90%

0% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 86.9%

100% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 60.8%

200% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 48%

300% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 40.3%

Superior Stalker's Guile: +Rech/Chance to Hide

0% Global Recharge/Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 90%

0% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 90%

100% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 76.1%

200% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 60%

300% Global Recharge/95% Power Recharge
Proc Chance: 50.4%

PPM: The above values are assuming we apply a 50% bonus to existing PPMs.

You can use the formula I listed above to figure out how this will impact you. If you're confused how all of this works I am happy to answer questions. My goal here is to enlighten you all on the complex world of procs. Also, I am currently considering having a minimum chance to proc that scales with the enhancements Procs Per Minute if that is possible with the code. We'll have to see.

Regards,
Synapse

How will the change to PPM affect the Theft of Essence proc?